Fall is the best time of year for leaf-peeping trips. Leaf peeping is an informal term used in the United States and Canada for people traveling to view and photograph fall foliage in areas where the leaves are changing color. It is a great activity for family outings. Each year, thousands of maple lovers travel to various parts of the country to enjoy the ever-changing colors of the maple leaves.

So, a map has been created for everyone to view the maple leaves across the United States. Grab your camera and let’s go!

The best places for leaf peeping

There are many places to see maple leaves in the United States, whether you go east, west, or south. If you are traveling in the East, you can visit New England, New York City, Washington D.C., Niagara Falls, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Skyline Drive, and the Great Lakes.

In the West, you can visit Oregon, California, and New Mexico. Southern foliage peep destinations are Texas, Colorado, and Georgia.

From these states, I have selected some of the best places to visit, with detailed guides attached to some of the locations.

Vermont

National Geographic has named it the most beautiful place in the world to see maple leaves. The entire state of Vermont is almost covered in maple forests, so you could say that the entire area is a destination. You can drive through the red maple trees, and the further north you drive, the redder the leaves become. It is very freeing and relaxing to get out of your car and walk around and take some pictures as you see the beauty.

Specific Travel Tips

Visitors to Vermont for leaf peeping usually start in the middle of the state and take the most famous route, Route 100. the first attraction along Route 100 is the Battle of Bennington Monument, the tallest building in Vermont, with a tower observation deck overlooking the fall colors. After that is Stowe, which is a famous town in Vermont.

Here there is a gondola called Gondola Skyride, designed for transportation between ski resorts and huts in the winter. In the fall, take a ride on the gondola Ferris wheel to see the fall from the top of the mountain, and the layers of different colored maple leaves from above are spectacularly romantic! This is also my recommended place to stay, there are both luxury resorts and affordable chalets to meet the needs of different travelers.

Northern Michigan

Michigan is located in the Great Lakes region of the United States and consists of two peninsulas, one large and one small. Northern Michigan, bordered by Lake Michigan to the south and Lake Superior to the north, is densely populated with maple trees. In the fall, the maple forests quickly turn a stunning golden-red color.

Specific Travel Tips

One of the first places to explore when visiting Northern Michigan is Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Park, which is the center of the western part of the Northern Michigan Peninsula, bordering Lake Superior. The park’s most popular high point, Lake of the Clouds, is the best place in northern Michigan to enjoy autumn. The slender Lake of the Clouds stretches east-west and is blocked by a steep ridge on the north side. You can also head to the lookout point, which overlooks the maple forest between the lake and the river valley.

Afterward, you can follow Highway 41 to the very peaceful town of Copper Harbor. There is a lighthouse here, located in Wilkinsburg Historic State Park. This is a Michigan State Historic Site and well worth a visit. An off-ramp from Highway 26 overlooks Copper Harbor, where you can get a great view of the entire town.

Blue Ridge Drive

Beginning at Shenandoah National Park and ending at Misty Mountain National Park, this 469-mile stretch is the most famous scenic highway in the East, especially for its fall foliage. It does not serve local traffic and is designed entirely for sightseeing. The rolling hills are shrouded in mist and covered with indigo filters, creating a unique view. Along the way, visit the Lynn Bay Viaduct, whose curves have become a famous feature of the Blue Ridge Highway. The final stop, the Great Misty Mountains National Park, covers 2,000 square kilometers and boasts the largest virgin forest in the United States.

Lost Maple Leaf State Natural Area

This 2,906-acre state park is a pristine area of hills and canyons on the Sabine River in the Edwards Plateau. The park is known for its maple trails, where the sun filters through the maple leaves into reds and yellows, dancing with them in the breeze. Here you can hike, camp or bird watch.

Big Bear Lake

Located in the heart of Southern California, about 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles, Big Bear Lake is surrounded by the San Bernardino National Forest. Every fall, all the trees change color at the same time. Evergreens, aspens, maples, and oaks are everywhere. The beauty of the lakes and mountains is breathtaking. Guests can also fish, ski and hike here.